Tuesday July the 1st... HAPPY CANADA DAY!

ON THIS DAY in 1901  
the "mother of the soap opera" Irna Phillips was born in Chicago.  
                
She created at least 6 longrunning daytime dramas, including Guiding Light & Young Dr Malone on radio, and Another World, As the World Turns, The Brighter Day, and Love is a Many Splendored Thing for TV.  She died Dec 22 1973 at age 72.

In 1902, comedian/raconteur Myron Cohen was born in Poland.  He appeared on Toast of the Town & The Ed Sullivan Show at least 33 times, and another 10 times on The Tonight Show.  He died Mar 10, 1986 at age 83.

In 1907, pioneer sportscaster Bill Stern was born in Rochester NY.  From his first football game over WHAM in his home town, his flair for the dramatic was present in all his work, including the Colgate Sports Newsreel & the Gillette Friday Night Fights on NBC Radio. Later he joined ABC, and was the announcer on the first televised boxing match. He died after a heart attack Nov 19 1971 at age 64.

In 1923, the first permanent radio network, the AT&T web, was set up between WEAF New York and WMAF near Boston.

                
In 1927, Prime Minister Mackenzie King dedicated Ottawa's Peace Tower carillon in the first Trans-Canada radio network broadcast hookup over telephone and telegraph lines; celebrating the Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary) of Confederation.

In 1934, the Federal Communications Commission, as mandated in the Communications Act of 1934, replaced the Federal Radio Commission as the regulator of broadcasting in the United States.

In 1935, Benny Goodman and his band recorded the King Porter Stomp for Victor Records. Many people considered this Goodman classic the beginning of the swing era.

In 1941, both CBS & NBC were granted licenses for their flagship New York TV stations, W2XBS (now WCBS) channel 2, and WNBT, now WNBC channel 4.  

              
Also in 1941, Sam G. Ross became the first manager of Press News Limited, later known as Broadcast News, which provided Canadian Press News to private stations. Before World War II was over, Ross had resigned to become News Director and later Assistant Manager of CKWX Vancouver. In 1958 he became the first private radio member of Ottawa's Press Gallery.

Still in 1941, the Bulova Watch company sponsored the first TV commercial. Remember "It's Bulova Watch Time?"  It was broadcast over WNBT-TV in New York City, and was a familiar advertising message on TV, radio and in print for many years. That first TV ad, incidentally, cost the watchmaker nine dollars!

In 1948, the CBC bought CKY Winnipeg from Manitoba Government Telephones, switching call letters to CBW with 50,000 watts two months later.

In 1952, Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Robson broke into radio at CJAV Port Alberni (B.C.). He was only 17 years of age and quickly migrated to Sports, doing play-by-play for the Alberni Athletics basketball team, including their win of the 1955 Canadian Senior Men's Championship game.

              
In 1956, Elvis Presley got an invitation from Steve Allen to appear on his Sunday TV variety show. Although Elvis showed up in formal wear, the penguin suit didn't hamper his ability to sing Hound Dog to a sad-eyed basset hound. It looked a little strange, however...

Also in 1956, Brenda Lee went into a recording studio for the first time, at the age of eleven (recording her version of "Jambalaya.")

In 1958, the CBC debuted nationwide TV broadcasts as the new Trans-Canada microwave relay system went into operation.

In 1963, "She Loves You" and "I'll Get You" were recorded by the Beatles.

In 1965, bandleader & composer Claude Thornhill died at age 55.

In 1966, Toronto CTV station CFTO-TV transmitted the first colour television in Canada.

                
In 1967, Scott McKenzie scored his first hit with the single, San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair). The song became an anthem for the Love Generation and the young people of flower power. McKenzie also co-wrote a hit for the Beach Boys in 1988, called Kokomo.

Also in 1967, "Windy" by the Association topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.

Still in 1967, the Beatles' album "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," went #1 on the album charts, and stayed there for 15 weeks.

In 1968, CHUM-FM radically changed formats from classical to progressive rock.

Also in 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were hospitalized after an auto accident in Scotland.

In 1969, Vancouver's C-FUN 1410 changed its call letters to CKVN.  VN=Voice of  News.  C-FUN would get its call letters back Sept. 30, 1973.

                
In 1970, the syndicated radio show "American Top 40," hosted by Casey Kasem, debuted in several US cities.

Also in 1970, Jimi Hendrix recorded his first session at Electric Ladyland Studios, New York.

In 1972, "Song Sung Blue" by Neil Diamond topped the charts, but stayed #1 for just a week.

In 1975, the Captain & Tennille received their first gold record with "Love Will Keep Us Together."

In 1978, Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" was released.

              
In 1979, the Doobie Brothers celebrated their 10th anniversary with an all-star jam session at the Friar's Club in Los Angeles.

In 1981, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that candidates for federal office had an "affirmative right" to go on national television. The ruling limited a TV network's right to determine when political campaigns begin and who may buy time.

Also in 1981, Rushton Moreve of Steppenwolf died in an auto wreck at age 35. The group's biggest hit was "Born to Be Wild,'' which reached No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1968.

Still in 1981, CKEG AM 1350 signed on the air in Nanaimo with 10,000 watts.

              
Again in 1981, actor George Voskovec, who played on all the 1950's TV anthologies, and in Nero Wolfe & Skag in the 80's, died at age 76.

In 1984, Richmond BC's CISL RADIO moved from AM 940  to AM 650, increasing it's power to be heard all over the Lower Mainland.

Also in 1984, the album "Animalize" was released by KISS.

In 1986, JR COUNTRY 93.7 signed on at 9:37 am with Waylon Jennings' "Are You Ready for the Country".
The same day, CKDA Victoria moved from AM 1220 to AM 1200.

In 1987, WFAN-AM, New York became America's first 24/7 All-Sports Radio station.

In 1989, "Baby Don't Forget My Number" by Milli Vanilli topped the charts, but stayed #1 for just the one week.

                
In 1991, actor Michael Landon, who had three blockbuster TV hits in Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven, died at age 54 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Also in 1991, the cable channel Court TV was born. The network broadcast entire trials, both famous and low profile. It was a unique addition to the already changing climate of TV information/entertainment.

In 1995, one of the world's most famous deejays Wolfman Jack collapsed and died of a heart attack at his home in Belvidere, in northeastern North Carolina. Fans first learned to love the Wolfman in 1963 on 250,000-watt XERF (Del Rio TX - Ciudad Acuna, Mexico), heard all over North America. You may also remember him as, that's right, Wolfman Jack, in the 1973 movie American Graffiti. And he's the same Wolfman The Guess Who sang about in their 1974 hit Clap for the Wolfman.
                

In 1996, WBSI TV replaced WNYC on channel 31 in New York City

In 1997, actor Robert Mitchum, who lit up the small screen in the mini-series Winds of War, & War and Remembrance, died of lung cancer & emphysema at age 79.  

In 1998, Canadian-born country star Martina McBride joined the Lilith Fair lineup in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, making her the first contemporary country artist to guest on the popular festival's female-dominated bill.

Still in 1998, a track from metal-funk band White Zombie's 1993 Geffen album "La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One" had the dubious distinction of being played repeatedly to ward off paparazzi at the wedding of Barbra Streisand and James Brolin. The hardcore song "Thunder Kiss '65" was played at ear-splitting levels for four hours straight from a van parked outside Streisand's Malibu villa, incensing photographers and preventing reporters from hearing the ceremony inside. The couple honeymooned on a boat in the nearby Channel Islands off the Santa Barbara coast.

              
In 1999, singer/actor Guy Mitchell, who had 1950's #1 hits with Singing the Blues, My Truly Truly Fair & My Heart Cries for You, died at age 74.

In 2000, actor Walter Matthau, who starred in scores of anthology dramas in TV's first decade, before becoming a major comedic force on the big screen, died of a heart attack at age 79.

In 2002, The Who played their first show without bassist John Entwistle, who had died the week earlier. The show was in Los Angeles.

In 2003, jazz flutist Herbie Mann died at 73 years of age in Pecos, NM. Mann was among the first jazz musicians to specialize on the flute and was perhaps jazz music’s preeminent flautist during the 1960s.

              
In 2004, actor Marlon Brando, whose small screen appearances were limited to The Godfather Saga & Roots: The Next Generation, died of a pulmonary fibrosis at age 80.
  

Today's Birthdays:

Actress Olivia de Havilland (Roots: The Next Generations, North & South: Book 2) is 92.

Actor Farley Granger (As the World Turns, Edge of Night) is 83.
  
Actress-dancer Leslie Caron (Falcon Crest, Master of the Game) is 77.

Actor Jamie Farr (MASH) is 74.

Actress Jean Marsh (Upstairs, Downstairs) is 74.

Bluesman James Cotton is 73.

Dancer Twyla Tharp is 67.

Gospel singer-choir leader Andrae Crouch is 66.

Montreal-born actress Genevieve Bujold (Hallmark Hall of Fame) is 66.

Singer Deborah Harry of Blondie is 63.

Actor Daryl Anderson (Lou Grant) is 57.

Singer Fred Schneider of the B-52's is 57.

Ottawa-born actor Dan Aykroyd (According to Jim, Sat. Night Live) is 56.

Actor Alan Ruck (Spin City) is 52.

Actress Lisa Blount (Sons & Daughters, Profit) is 51.

Canadian-born country singer Michelle Wright is 47.

Actor Andre Braugher (Homicide) is 46.

Ladysmith BC-born actress Pamela Anderson (Baywatch, Home Improvement, VIP, Stacked) is 41.

Actor Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue) is 38.

Actress Julianne Nicholson (Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Ally McBeal) is 37.

Rapper Missy Elliott is 37.

Actress Hilarie Burton (One Tree Hill) is 26.

Actress Lynsey Bartilson (Grounded for Life) is 25.

Actors Stephen and Andrew Cavarno (Party of Five) are 16.


Chart Toppers

July 1

1945
Laura - The Woody Herman Orchestra
Dream - The Pied Pipers
Sentimental Journey - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
At Mail Call Today - Gene Autry

1954
Little Things Mean a Lot - Kitty Kallen
Hernando’s Hideaway - Archie Bleyer
Three Coins in the Fountain - The Four Aces
Even Tho - Webb Pierce

1963
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto
Blue on Blue - Bobby Vinton
Easier Said Than Done - The Essex
Act Naturally - Buck Owens

1972
Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
Outa-Space - Billy Preston
Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Eleven Roses - Hank Williams, Jr.

1981
Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
A Woman Needs Love (Just like You Do) - Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio
The One that You Love - Air Supply
Blessed are the Believers - Anne Murray

1990
Step By Step - New Kids on the Block
Do You Remember? - Phil Collins
Hold On - En Vogue
Love Without End, Amen - George Strait

1999
I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
Livin’ La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me For Me) - Blessid Union Of Souls
Write This Down - George Strait